Top 10 Warrior Cats with the Saddest Lives
The Warrior Cats series is packed with drama, heartache, and cats who have gone through some seriously rough times. As much as we love to see our favorite warriors triumph, there's no denying that some of these characters have had lives full of tragedy and loss. From painful choices to heartbreaking betrayals, certain cats just can't seem to catch a break, no matter how hard they try.This list dives into the lives of those characters who have suffered the most. We're talking about leaders, medicine cats, and warriors who have faced unbearable grief, overwhelming loss, and sometimes even exile or betrayal. Their lives are filled with hardship, and despite their courage, they can't always escape the sadness that surrounds them.
Crookedstar is a huge, light brown tabby tom with green eyes and a twisted jaw.Crookedstar was a RiverClan leader in the forest territories. He was born as Stormkit to Rainflower and Shellheart alongside his brother, Oakkit. Following an accident in which he broke his jaw, Stormkit was renamed... read more
1. I think what makes this book so sad is how he was rejected by his own mother for a horrible mistake he regretted so much that he had to flee the Clan. Echomist was more of a mother to Crookedstar than Rainflower, who couldn't admit how wrong she was about Crooked.
2. When Willowbreeze died, I couldn't stop crying. She was a kind, loving cat who accepted Crooked and loved him. Crookedstar's excitement when he heard Willowbreeze was having his kits was so heartwarming and beautiful. When she died and Crooked went into the Dark Forest to kill Mapleshade, I could really feel how heartbroken he was.
3. The kits! When they died along with their mother, I was sure that Crookedstar would leave the Clans again.
4. This was just a heartwarming moment. I loved the scene where Oak and Crooked fought over Silverstream and how Crooked should be a better father. The book ended on a high note when Crooked promised to always take care of Silver.
Mapleshade is a character in the Warriors series by Erin Hunter. Mapleshade is a large, tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat, with a scarred white muzzle, and white patches throughout her pelt. She is thick-furred, and her pelt is ragged, patched, and scarred. Her fur is thick around her neck, like a mane,... read more When the Clans found out that she was going to have another Clan cat's kits, they kicked her out of Clan territory when she was close to giving birth, without even letting her stay until she had her kits.
Then, she had to deal with all of her kits dying. And then StarClan forced her to live in the Dark Forest just because she got revenge on the cats who made her leave while she was heavy with kits.
Mapleshade got kicked out just for having kits with a mate from another clan. After all, don't all good warriors break the code at least once?
Also, she deserves to see her kits again.
-Spottedrose of ThunderClan
Briarlight was born to Graystripe and Millie alongside Blossomfall and Bumblestripe. When she was an apprentice, she tried to save Longtail from a falling tree and crushed her lower spine. After that, she had to do exercises to strengthen her backbone. She lived in the Med Cat den, until a case of greencough... read more A cheerful and optimistic cat. Her future blurred when she was paralyzed. What could she do? There was no way she could be a warrior now. No, her mother didn't neglect her, but she still suffered. Blossomfall and Bumblestripe were tossed away, but Briarlight felt the guilt.
If you take a look at her personality, she's the sort of cat who would hide her pain. She wouldn't want to worry anyone. Think of all the anxiety, guilt, self-doubt, and loneliness, as well as resentment towards her own body. She masked her emotions by being cheerful, and she did kind of learn to be happy again. But still, we don't know what demons haunted her mind, and she never lived up to her full potential.
The happy ending that was given to her was a disappointment. Oh, she died, and that's good now! She's happy! She can walk now! That is really depressing, and I think she's a character who has such a sad life.
- Ravensflight
Bluestar is a character in the Warrior Cats series. She was one of the leaders of ThunderClan. She broke the code by being mates with Oakheart of RiverClan and having her kits, Stonefur and Mistyfoot, and Mosskit. Stonefur and Mistyfoot live in RiverClan, while Mosskit died of hypothermia. She has a... read more Bluestar's life is the worst! First, her father does not care about her. She had to watch her mom die right after she became an apprentice. She had to witness her sister's death from a monster. She had to tell Whitestorm his mother was dead and protect him from his father. She had to give away her kit just to become deputy. When she was giving up her kits, Mosskit died from the cold.
After about a moon, her mate Oakheart died. Her best friend Thrushpelt died. She was attacked by her old deputy. Finally, she had to die by drowning. Bluestar should be number one, and Crookedstar second.
A Medicine Cat from the book series Warriors by Erin Hunter, she is a small, fluffy, sleek, and soft-furred she-cat with a smoky dark gray coat and wide blue eyes. Initially, she started out as a Warrior apprentice but was forced to train as a Medicine Cat after a monster broke her leg on the Thunderpath... read more Cinderpelt was injured badly. I bet most cats would just complain and die from complaining, but Cinderpelt decided to help her Clan!
So brave and loyal.
-Spottedrose of ThunderClan
Cinderpelt is truly my favorite character. She could have turned into a great warrior if Tigerstar had been killed earlier. She blames herself for Silverstream's death, even though it was not her fault.
Not long after she received her full name, her mentor Yellowfang died. It must have felt awful. Even when she received the omen that she would die soon and didn't have a medicine apprentice, she risked her life to save Sorreltail and her kits. Then, a badger killed her - the worst creature ever is badgers. She died so young. I LOVE Cinderpelt.
Leafpool is a character in the Warrior Cats series. She's the daughter of Firestar and Sandstorm, sister of Squirrelflight, mate of Crowfeather, and mother of Jayfeather, Lionblaze, and Hollyleaf Leafpool's life was so sad, arguably the second saddest among warrior cats. Her life, albeit better than Cinderpelt's, still had its share of heartache, especially since she got together with Crowfeather. Here's a list of the events in Leafpool's life:
1. Grew farther away from her sister.
2. Fell in love with Crowfeather.
3. Ran away with Crowfeather.
4. Returned to find Cinderpelt dead.
5. Broke up with Crowfeather and was devastated.
6. Had Crowfeather's kits.
7. Her kits didn't even know their real mother and father.
8. Lied to her whole clan about them.
9. Watched Crowfeather mate with Nightcloud and their son, Breezepelt.
10. Exposed in front of the gathering as Hollyleaf, Jayfeather, and Lionblaze's mother.
11. Her kits hated her.
12. Her daughter tried to kill her.
13. Her daughter "died."
14. She couldn't be a medicine cat, so turned into a warrior.
15. Her kits forgave her and she became a medicine cat again, yet Hollyleaf dies.
There's a lot more to her story, though. I love Crowfeather, but Leafpool's pain started with him...
Scourge is a villain the Warrior Cats series. He's the leader of BloodClan. He was bullied by his siblings, Socks and Ruby, in the past because he was the smallest out of his kin. One of his most notable features is his collar of dog teeth. Scourge is a small black tom with one white paw, ice-blue eyes,... read more Scourge had a very sad life. He's my second-favorite character for a good reason: I understand him. His dad left him, and Ruby and Socks bullied him because of his size. Then, he was attacked by Tigerpaw (Tigerstar) as a kit, and he would have died if Bluefur (Bluestar) hadn't saved him.
He was never evil, just trying to prove himself worthy and not the small, helpless kit he once was.
Known initially as Tiny, he had a sad life. He famously killed Tigerstar in one blow (Yay!). I can't stand Ruby! Socks wasn't as mean, but Ruby was really cruel to Tiny.
Poor Tiny was attacked by Tigerpaw and was severely injured. He could have died if it weren't for Bluefur. Thistleclaw and Tigerpaw's actions were partially why Tigerpaw and Tiny turned evil. When Tiny reached the city, he wanted to remove his collar.
Then he found a dog and a tooth, which he tried to use to remove the collar, but it just got stuck. He became the leader of BloodClan, changing his name to Scourge, and all the cats in the city feared him.
Yellowfang was a ThunderClan medicine cat in the original series of Warriors. She initially was a medicine cat from ShadowClan, but she was banished by her son, Brokenstar. She was then found by Firestar, who was then Firepaw, and brought into ThunderClan. Her last words were "Thank you for bringing... read more Her son was a murderer and sent kits into battle. The cat she wanted to be her son watched her die. She could also feel other cats' emotions. She deserved a better life, but I hate her in StarClan.
Yellowfang had a very sad life. First, she was constantly teased by her denmates and often got into arguments with her love, Raggedstar. She had to give up her big dream of being a warrior to become a medicine cat because she bore the entire Clan's pain. The clan teased her for being a medicine cat.
Brokenstar is a horrible cat she had to protect, and even though she protected him, he exiled her. Then she joined ThunderClan and was attacked by nearly everyone at first. Even though she lived happily in ThunderClan after becoming their medicine cat, she had to watch Brokenstar stay in ThunderClan, and she had to kill her own son in front of herself.
Then she died in a fire trying to save some cats. I think even Crookedstar's life can't be sadder!
Spoiled by his mother and abused by his father, he has the saddest life of all, maybe after Scourge. Then, his reputation was tarnished after he found out he had half-siblings in another Clan.
He knew his father betrayed WindClan and broke the code. His hatred for ThunderClan led him to become a warrior of the Dark Forest and eventually turn evil. A result of bad parenting.
He was rejected and ignored by his own father. He grew up with such anger and hate, and then he joined the Dark Forest, which earned him even more distrust from his clanmates.
When his mother disappeared, he became even angrier and more alone.
I know what you're thinking, but hear me out.
Crowpaw only ever wanted to prove he was good enough, and I guess when he was given the prophecy from StarClan, he thought he was special at last. But when he fell for Feathertail during the journey, Crowpaw was stuck. He wanted to be her mate, but at the same time, he wanted to be a loyal WindClan warrior.
However, he stayed strong and waited, and just when they finally got close, Feathertail dies. Crowpaw must have felt super alone at that point, but then he meets Leafpool and starts another forbidden love. And this time, he was ready to leave the clans for her, but I guess she just wasn't ready to do the same.
And when he finally finds a mate in his clan, all they do is fight each other. So yeah, a pretty sad life.
The Newcomers
Leopardstar is a golden tabby she-cat with amber eyes.Leopardstar was a leader of RiverClan in the forest and in the lake territories. Leopardkit was born to Mudfur and Brightsky alongside three unnamed kits; however, Brightsky and her littermates died during the kitting. Mudfur gave her the name... read more
Honestly, Leopardstar is kind of underrated. I know that's an unpopular opinion, and not everyone has to agree with me, but she had so many cats she loved die. She was bullied because her mother died. Many warrior cats lost their mothers, but I can't think of another instance where a cat was bullied because of it.
She also had so much pressure on her because, pretty much from day one, she was expected to fulfill some prophecy from her father. Most other cats didn't grow up hearing from their childhood that they were the "chosen one." Maybe there are other examples, but I don't remember any. That actually influenced a lot of her decisions if you read Leopardstar's Honor.
For people who say she's a bad character because she hated Graystripe, keep in mind that he kind of killed the only reminder she had of her deceased friend. Whiteclaw was like a son to her. She also had to watch her best friend and mentor die because of ThunderClan provoking her (and, admittedly, because of her temper - I said she had a hard life, not that she was perfect). That would explain why she hated ThunderClan.
Tigerstar really manipulated her in a horrible way. He pretended to love her to control her, which was especially hard after she had to watch her first love fall for another cat. She only wanted to make her Clan strong and genuinely felt remorse for letting her deputy die.
Finally, she had to die from diabetes, which I know from personal experience is no fun at all (not dying from diabetes, but I know having diabetes isn't easy). Also, that wasn't her fault - no wild cat could eat enough to cause it. Most cases of diabetes (yes, even type 2) are caused by genetics, not diet problems.
Her life was just sad. She made mistakes, but that made her more relatable, in my opinion, than a cat like Firestar. I have nothing against Firestar, but he wasn't as interesting to me because he didn't have many noticeable flaws. Leopardstar had to go through a lot, and... more
SIlverstream is a character created by Erin Hunter to the book series named Warrior Cats. Silverstream is a sleek, soft, and thick-furred, slender, silver -and-black tabby she-cat with a finely shaped head, and bright blue eyes. She's the daughter of Crookedstar and Willowbreeze, former mate of Graystripe... read more Why on earth is she on here? There's cats below her that had it MUCH harder! She was spoiled all of her life and you guys are pitying her? What?!?!
Many people think she's spoiled but all she wanted was Graystripe and couldn't have him! Is it a crime to not jump up and down about not being able to be with your love? She also had no mother, had a short life, and Graystripe promised to be with her but in StarClan, he chose Milliepoop! She had a sad afterlife too!
1. He loved Bright Stream, who loved his brother.
2. He never wanted to leave the mountains. His sister died there, and his mother wouldn't leave. But then Jagged Peak ran off following the group that was following the sun trail, so Gray Wing went after him.
3. When they caught up, Bright Stream died, carried off by an eagle.
4. They arrived at the forest, where the group split into two. One followed his brothers, the other followed their leader. He stayed with the leader.
Gray Wing is underrated because his brothers both leave him (though Jagged Peak comes back). Clear Sky gets Bright Stream, and Turtle Tail dies! It's so sad.
Longtail is a lean, pale brown or silver tabby tom with black stripes, a "V"-shaped nick in his ear and a long tail.Longtail was a ThunderClan elder who lived under Firestar’s Leadership in the forest and lake territories and previously served as a warrior under Bluestar and Firestar. He was... read more
He had to become an elder early because a rabbit blinded him, and as a result, he became the laughingstock of the fandom. He tried to impress Mousefur but failed. He was hated by everyone's favorite character, Firestar. Everyone thought he was a traitor.
He got one of the worst introductions in Warriors, with readers seeing him as a bully. People hate him, yet Sandstorm was a bigger bully than him. Tigerclaw, his friend, turned out to be a traitor. Swiftpaw was denied becoming a warrior. He had to swallow his pride and beg Fireheart to make his apprentice a warrior.
Longtail's mentor was a traitor. One of his apprentices is a jerk. Longtail died getting fresh-kill. This character needs a rest forever.
Ivypool is a fictional character created by Erin Hunter for the Book series named Warrior Cats. Ivypool is a common silver-and-white tabby. She spied in the Dark Forest and has dark blue eyes. She is the sister of Dovewing and the kit of Whitewing and Birchfall. Her mate is Fernsong, and she is the... read more I don't think that she's better than Dovewing. For that matter, I think that Dovewing and Ivypool are equal.
I believe that Ivypool had a tough life because she thought that Dovewing was being treated like a queen (though she really wasn't). Ivypool went to the Dark Forest once, and they started harassing her. I also think that she made her own life difficult - no hate on Ivypool over here! She tried to catch more prey than Dovewing, trained super hard, and even joined the Dark Forest.
I still love her, but she made some bad decisions.
- Willowmoon of ThunderClan
Hollyleaf was one of the rare, strictly loyal cats of ThunderClan.Her birth broke the warrior code, and she killed Ashfur in fear of him revealing the truth over her family. She lived in the tunnels for a while, before rejoining ThunderClan. Hollyleaf was slain by Hawkfrost and spent her last... read more
Hollyleaf's background is so sad. She never got a power and had to accept that she wasn't part of the three. It turns out her birth broke one of the things she loved the most. She was lied to about who her parents were, killed a cat out of anger, and later became depressed because of it.
She finally forgave herself and returned to the clans, only to be killed a book later.
Hollyleaf was one of the most important cats to me. Like Ivypool, her siblings were part of the prophecy, and she thought she was too for a long time.
She was lied to about her parents for a long time, and her birth was against the warrior code, which meant so much to her.
Later, she died without being able to celebrate victory with her brothers and clan. This is so sad.
Spottedleaf was a medicine cat under Bluestar's leadership in the forest territories. She was born as Spottedkit to Adderfang and Swiftbreeze alongside her littermates, Redkit and Willowkit. Initially, Spottedpaw was apprenticed to Thrushpelt; however, she decided to become a medicine cat with Featherwhisker... read more Sandstorm is so OVERRATED. Why did Firestar choose her when Spottedleaf is the best? Sandstorm used to bully Firestar, so why would they be mates? They should just be friends!
I think Sandstorm doesn't really deserve him. It's not fair that medicine cats can't have a mate, so it's also unfair for Spottedleaf. And Spottedleaf is just WAY BETTER. TAKE THAT, SANDSTORM!
Spottedleaf died at such a young age. Also, she didn't get to spend time with Firestar in StarClan.
Even though I like Mapleshade, I didn't like her for killing Spottedleaf. Honestly, Mapleshade, I'm sorry for you.
-Spottedrose of ThunderClan
She was raised by that stupid Pinenose! Needletail even commented that she might have been underfed while they were being sneaked out of camp.
Also, her friend died right in front of her!
Though I like the part where she mated with Tree. They both had really sad backstories. They are a perfect match.
Aww, Violetshine is one of my favorite characters, but she had such a sad life! She had to grow apart from her sister, her only kin, because of Rowanstar's selfishness.
Then she had to go to the rogue's camp, torn further apart from her sister. So sad! A few moons later, she helped a bunch of injured prisoners escape from Darktail, and when he found out, her only friend Needletail was drowned while she escaped. I love Violetshine and she suffered beyond what I can say.
Brightheart is a character from Warriors by Erin Hunter. She is a white she-cat with ginger patches. As an Apprentice she got attacked by dogs and got half of her face torn off. Her mate is Cloudtail and her kits are Whitewing, Ambermoon, Dewnose, and Snowbush. Brightheart shouldn't have listened to Swiftpaw, but I understand that she wanted to be a brave, loyal warrior.
She is so brave when a newcomer or kit sees her scars. Stay brave!
She lost her best friend, Swiftpaw, due to the dog pack killing him. Then the pack targets her and mauls half of her face. Bluestar renamed her Lostface. Cloudtail betrayed her for Daisy.
- Otterheart
Brightheart was an apprentice when she had her eye torn out. She wasn't made a warrior at first and wanted to prove herself, but was instead rewarded with the name Lostface.
Eventually, that name was changed to Brightheart.
Graystripe is a cat in a series Warrior Cats. He is named after the grey stripe that goes down his back. In the second book he falls in love with a cat named Silverstream. He is also friends with his childhood friend Firestar. He became mates with Millie who gave birth to their kits Blossomfall, Bumblestripe... read more He had to send one of his best friends, Ravenpaw, to be with Barley for a safer place. He lost Silverstream. Feathertail died. He gets abducted by Twolegs. Firestar dies. Ravenpaw dies. As an elder, he is treated like a mouse-brained and stupid cat. Briarlight dies. Millie dies. He dies.
- Otterheart
He lost everyone he knew since kittenhood, including some of his kits. He also had to watch Stormfur join the tribe.
As an elder, other cats treated him as if he was ancient and stupid. I'm surprised he didn't snap near the end. At least he died a brave death.
Tallstar is a large, black-and-white tom with a very long, thin, black tail with a white tail-tip, powerful shoulders, amber eyes, strong paws, short, thick fur, and a white muzzle and paws. Let's see. Hated by his father, not even noticed by his mother, laughed at by the other apprentices, and this is such a sad, sad life.
Both his parents rejected him! It seemed like Palebird basically forgot she had a son after she took another mate. Dawnstripe cared more about him than Palebird ever did.
Tallstar's book was such a good read. Both his parents rejected him! His father was angry, then died full of rage. Sad, really. Let's see.
He lost his mate and his kits and couldn't live in his own home. That's pretty self-explanatory.
Poor Hawkwing lost his kits and mate. I am so happy he managed to find his kits again!
He lost so much. I just think his story is the saddest ever. He should be at the top.
Every one of his kits died, and he had like ten of them! After that, Ferncloud dies in the Dark Forest Battle.
Screw Bluestar! Dustpelt would have been a good mate. I don't think Bluestar loved him.
Sorry, Dustpelt, that I hated you. You lost your mate, your kits. You lived a life of death, like Bluestar. But now you're happy in StarClan.
Squirrelflight is a dark ginger she-cat with forest-green eyes. She has one white paw, short legs, a torn ear tip, glossy fur, and a long, squirrel-like, bushy tail. She has a scar running from her chest to the top of her hind leg along her right flank. She is a cat in the series called Warrior Cats... read more Squirrelflight had a hard life. She was undecided between Bramblestar and Ashfur, and when she chose Bramblestar, Ashfur took revenge by almost killing her sister's kits.
She also lied to Bramblestar about their kits, and Bramblestar broke up with her. Then her mate turns into Ashfur, and she might lose Bramblestar. Poor Squirrelflight...
Her mate died because of a greedy cat. Her sister died, her parents died, and one of her kits died.
Squirrelflight! I cannot believe she lost Bramblestar like that. And two kits and her sister! I literally hate Ashfur. If only I could just... argh! Poor Squirrelflight, she's one of my favorite characters.
Leopardstar watched her loyal and kind deputy get killed because of a stupid crush on Tigerstar. Stonefur was so nice. I sobbed when he died. I wanted to close the book. He died a noble death.
He was just a cat loyal to his clan until Tigerstar came and forced him to try to kill an apprentice, which led to his death.
It wasn't fair because weren't the other prisoners also part of RiverClan and loyal?
Stonefur was Bluestar's son but was never given a chance to connect with her because he was brought up in RiverClan by Greypool. He was loyal to RiverClan until Tigerstar forced him to kill an apprentice, which led to his own death.
Ravenpaw is a fictional character created by Erin Hunter for the book series Warrior Cats. He's a skinny, jet-black tom with a small white dash on his chest, greens eyes and a long, thing white tipped tail. He is shy, jumpy and nervous... read more Ravenpaw was scarred for life because his literal mentor wanted to kill him. I was so sad when he died.
-Spottedrose of ThunderClan
His mentor, Tigerstar, killed Redtail. Tigerstar threatened to kill him. He had to lose his two best friends, Graystripe and Firestar, due to living in a barn with Barley. A painful lump caused his death, but luckily, he had Barley's snuggle to rest his last life.
- Otterheart
Oh, Ravenpaw, you were threatened by Tigerstar and witnessed him kill Redtail. Still terrified, he runs off to live with Barley. I'm so glad Barley offered to take him in. If it wasn't for Ravenpaw, Tigerstar would've probably killed Bluestar. - Squirrel'heart
Jayfeather is a character in the Warrior Cats series. He is part of The Three, along with Lionblaze and Dovewing, and has the power to read other cats' minds, emotions, and walk into other cats dreams, He was born blind. according to the Warrior Cats Wiki Jayfeather is a lean, mottled, pale gray tabby... read more 1. Imagine your whole early life being born blind and having some dead ghost pestering you, even in real life, then telling you to give up on being a warrior. At the same time, you have the ability to go into different cats' dreams while having no idea why. Then you sense other cats' pity every day because you're blind.
2. The cats he cared about mostly all died. Leafpool died, and there's a short chapter dedicated to him grieving and struggling. You can literally feel the regret and remorse in him when Briarlight dies, as he believed he was the one who infected her.
Honestly, I would be thrilled if the writers decided to give him a major role in the new arc. He has more reason to be than some others.